Developer offers materials for sewer extension; council declines immediate ordinance change

A representative for C3J Land Management asked the council for assistance extending sewer service to three vacant lots on Filber Street and offered to donate all required materials while requesting the city provide labor to make the connections.

Steven, presenting on behalf of C3J, said the developer ims to add three single-family houses and is prepared to supply and donate materials if the city could coordinate labor and an itemized materials list. City staff explained current municipal practice and ordinance language: the city typically brings sewer service to the corner and property owners are responsible for installing the lateral from that point to the house. Staff and legal counsel advised against unilaterally changing that practice without an ordinance rewrite, due to liability exposure, equipment/staffing limits and a need to treat owners equitably.

Discussion focused on technical options — tapping a nearby manhole versus boring under a street to reach a deeper mainline — and on likely costs (contractor estimates in the tens of thousands depending on depth and whether the street must be repaved). Brooks Gilliam, public works director, explained the city lacks the heavy shoring and boring equipment needed for deeper taps and that work might require contracting outside firms. Staff suggested pursuing a nonstandard service agreement, engineering study by the city engineer, or amendment to tap fees if the council wished to shift more responsibility to the city.

No ordinance change or formal action was taken at the meeting; council directed staff to bring back options, updated tap fees, and engineering cost estimates if the council wants to consider changing the city pproach to owner-installed laterals.